A song dedicated to the miserable: Misery
And some help on getting over it: Every guy has at least one buddy
who takes everything too seriously, who b*tches and moans over
minute details, or who insists on dissecting his actions or
behavior incessantly. Its often a quality mistaken for
seriousness, intelligence or high stress. Then one day it dawns on
you: Your buddy is a drama queen.
At first, it feels awkward labeling him with a decidedly feminine
term, but theres no mistaking it, especially when you recall how
often youve sat listening to his epic narratives: the hardship he
endured when his car was towed, his colossal miscues with women, or
the yarn he spins each time catastrophe strikes at work.
Hurting someones feelings, getting a speeding ticket, saying
something inappropriate
These things may trigger some form of
regret, but wallowing in our lesser screwups is no way to live. As
a public service, we present the following four steps to getting
over it, calculated to dismiss lifes petty tragedies, and to
eliminate that worthless regret.
#1 Disengage yourself
Seriously, stop kicking yourself. What did you do? Did you screw up
a job interview because you couldnt answer what your strengths and
weaknesses are? Or did you park your car in the wrong place and
have it towed? The first step to getting over it is to stop
dwelling on whatever happened and to stop replaying the situation
in your head. Extract it from your mind by giving yourself some
distance from the issue. A little perspective goes a long
way.
This is the first step toward getting over it and freeing yourself
of that pointless streak of narcissism -- the one that insists that
everything you do, every effort you put forth in the world, bears
some importance.
Good news: It doesnt. Get over it.
#2 Look the problem in the eye
So there you were, in the elevator alone with the woman youve been
crushing on for months. For 10 floors, you worked up the nerve to
say hi, and when you finally opened your mouth, you dislodged some
lunch from your teeth. You both watched it land on her blouse. And
you couldn't get away fast enough.
Disengaging from this event means looking your screwup in the eye
like a man: It was embarrassing, but why does it still embarrass
you a day later? All too often, we unknowingly approach these
unfortunate blips through a marginalized version of the five stages
of grief:
1- Denial: Tell me that didnt just happen.
2- Anger: Ah! Why did I pass up those toothpicks at the hostess
station?
3- Bargaining: What I wouldnt give for a do-over
4- Depression: I suck.
5- Acceptance: "I can laugh about that now.
Good news: You can skip straight to No. 5 when getting over it,
since the alternative involves moping self-pity.
Youre two steps away from getting over it
